Electrically heated boot sock and battery supporting pouch therefor

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to an electrically heated boot sock and a pouch construction therefor for holding the battery. The pouch is constructed of foldable sheet material arranged to define a battery pocket and associated closure flap with contacts arranged to make positive electrical contact with the battery when the flap is closed. The pocket is formed to define a channelway extending along one side thereof through which a conductor connecting with one of the contacts is threaded, and a hooking means is attached to the pocket for detachably connecting the battery pouch to the boot of the wearer.

United States Patent Hines et al.

14 1 May 16, 1972 [54] ELECTRICALLY HEATED BOOT SOCK AND BATTERYSUPPORTING POUCH THEREFOR [72] Inventors: Benjamin M. Hines, GreenfieldHill; Richard L. Johnson, Easton, both of [21] Appl.N0.: 16,371

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,249,108 5/1966 Terman..219/211X Bauer ..219/21 1 1,275,451 8/1918 Lillard ..36/2.6 1,702,5832/1929 Williams ..219/526 X 3,293,405 12/1966 Costanzo... ..219/21 13,392,264 7/1968 Arron .t .219/527 X 3,396,264 8/1968 Murphy et al...219/211 Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton Atrorney-Arthur T. Fattibene[5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure is directed to an electrically heatedboot sock and a pouch construction therefor for holding the battery. Thepouch is constructed of foldable sheet material arranged to define abattery pocket and associated closure flap with contacts arranged tomake positive electrical contact with the battery when the flap isclosed. The pocket is formed to define a channelway extending along oneside thereof through which a conductor connectingwith one of thecontacts is threaded, and a hooking means is attached to the pocket fordetachably connecting the battery pouch to the boot of the wearer.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented May 16, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS. BENJAMIN M. H/NES R/CHARD L. JOHNSON A TTORNE Y Patented May16, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 30A INVENTORS BENJAMIN M. H/NES ElCHARD L.JOHNSON AT TOR/V5) ELECTRICALLY HEATED BOOT SOCK AND BA'I'IERYSUPPORTING POUCH THEREFOR PROBLEMS AND PRIOR ART In the construction oflow voltage, battery operated, electrically heated socks of the whollyself-contained type, it was heretofore customary to support the batteryin a pouch which was either sewn to the sock adjacent the upper endthereof or strapped to the leg of the wearer immediately adjacent thehem of the sock. In either event a strap or garter was necessarilyassociated with the pouch which the wearer had to fasten about his legin order to support the weight of the battery. While the batterysupported in such strapped pouch comprises a relatively small, standardl'A-volt dry cell flashlight type battery, it nevertheless produced abulge which frequently interfered with the wearers other articles ofclothing, e.g., ski pants, camping boots, ski boots, and the like.

Because ski pants are generally formed of elastic material designed tostretch tight to the wearer, it was difficult for one to wear such skipants over the battery pouch arrangement heretofore used in conjunctionwith such low voltage socks. lnvariabl y the ski pants worn over suchsocks resulted in an unsightly bulge or interfered with the pouch and/orthe operation thereof. For example, where the flap of the pouch wasemployed as a switching means to energize and/or de-energize the circuitto the electric heater, access to such flap switch was renderedvirtually impossible when worn under the conventional ski pants.Consequently the wearer of such ski outfits could not effectsatisfactory control over the electric socks. As a result such sockswere required to remain energized when there was no need therefor; e.g.,when a skier moved to indoor activities and/or when the weather warmedup.

Also because most ski pants and/or outfits comprise highly styledclothing, the protrusion or bulge created by the known battery pouchholders when worn under such ski pants was highly undesirable to thefashionable skier.

OBJECTS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a lowvoltage electrically heated sock of the self contained variety having animproved pouch construction which is specifically adapted to be wornwith ski type clothing, and/or ski boots or camping boots.

Another object is to provide an improved pouch construction for use withbattery powered self contained type of electric socks which can be atall times controlled by the skier or wearer.

Another object is to provide an improved pouch construction forelectrically heated battery powered socks having reenforced orstrengthened terminal connectors.

Another object is to provide a pouch construction with a channelwaythrough which an electrical conductor is threaded so as to minimize anybreak in the circuit due to a snag or pull.

Another object is to provide an improved pouch construction for a selfcontained, low voltage, battery heated sock which will not adverselyeffect the styling and/or appearance of ski clothes.

Another object is to provide an electrically heated sock in which thebattery support is attached to the boot of the wearer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects, and otheradvantages and features of this invention are attainedby a low voltagebattery operated sock having a heater disposed in the toe portionthereof and having a battery pouch comprising of connected panelportions of sheet material formed to define a pocket for snuglycontaining a battery. Essentially the pouch is defined by a back, front,opposed sides, and bottom panels connected to define an opened toppocket. A flap is connected to the back panel which is adapted to foldover the open top of the pocket to form a closure therefor. The sideportions of the pouch are each provided with laterally turned outermarginal portions which are disposed in overlying relationship to themarginal portions of the back panel and secured thereto. The overlyingmarginal portions are secured so as to define a channelway through whicha conductor is threaded Electrical contacts are attached to thebottom'of the pouch and to the flap. The arrangement is such that whenthe flap is closed a positive electrical contact is had between thecontacts and the electrodes of the battery. A fastening means isprovided for maintaining the flap closed; the arrangement being suchthat the flap functions as a switch to make and break the circuit to theheater.

The pouch is connected to the sock by the electrical conductors whichconnect the contacts of the pouch in circuit to the heater. This isattained by attaching the lower length of the conductors to the footportion of the sock and having the remaining length extending throughthe sock to connect to the pouch contacts.

A supporting means is attached to the pouch in the form of a hook fordetachably supporting the pouch to the boots or shoes of the wearerexterior of the'wearers pants where access thereto is rendered readilyavailable at all times.

FEATURES A feature of this invention resides in the provision whereinthe battery pouch is operatively associated with the sock and heatertherefore so as to provide a wholly self-contained electrically heatedsock, yet enabling the battery pouch to be supported so that a wearermay have ready access to the switching means even when worn with skitype clothing.

Another feature resides in the provision wherein the battery pouch isseparated from the sock proper by a length of conductors necessary toattach the battery pouch to the boot or shoe of the wearer.

Another feature resides in the provision of an electric sock having abattery pouch having a support hook for detachably supporting the pouchon the boot or shoe of the wearer.

Another feature resides in the provision of a battery pouch constructionin which a channelway is formed along one side thereof through which awire conductor may be threaded so as to prohibit any pull or snagthereon from tearing the conductor from its battery contact.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the specification and drawingsin which FIG. 1illustrates a side elevation view of a low voltage, self contained,battery operated, electric sock embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspectiveview illustrating the operation of theelectrically heated sock of FIG. 1 as worn with ski type clothing.

FIG. 3 illustrates the blank construction from which the battery pouchis constructed.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the assembled battery pouch of thisinvention having portions thereof broken away.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view taken along line 6-6 on FIG.

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken along line 6-6 on FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an improved lowvoltage, battery operated, electrically heated sock 10 embodying thepresent invention. The sock per se 10A is a conventionally formed sock,as for example, a woven or knitted sock, that comprises essentially afoot portion 12 having a toe portion 12A, a heel portion 12B andconnected leg portion 12C. At the upper end of the leg portion there maybe provided a suitableelastic hem or cuff 13. A low voltage electricallyenergized heater means 14 is disposed, preferably, in the toe portion12A of the sock 10. The heater means comprises a construction of a typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,293,405 and 3,396,264. More specificallythe electrical heater means 14 in the illustrated embodiment comprises aflat electrical resistor element 15 having a U-shaped configurationsandwiched between strips of thin heat diffusing material l6, 17disposed in back to back relationship. The sandwiching material 16, 17functions to maintain the shape of the electrical resistor element 15,as well as to provide means by which the electrical resistor element 15is secured or maintained in position in the toe portion of the sock.Also the sandwiching material functions to diffuse the heat of theresistor 15 when energized and thereby eliminates hot spots. Thesandwiching material 16, 17 may be any suitable material which willdiffuse the heat sufliciently so as to avoid burning of the wearer. Thesandwiching strips 16, 17, containing the electrical resistor element 15is suitably secured to the sock as by sewing a marginal seam 18 alongthe opposed edges of the sandwiching strips l6, 17, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Sandwiching strips which have been foundsatisfac tory comprise strips of foil, thin mylar plastic strips, cloth,acetate fabric tape, thin rubber tape and the like.

By forming the resistor element 15 as a U-shaped element as shown, itwill be noted that the terminal ends of the resistor'lS are disposed tothe same side. Positioning of the terminal ends of the resistor to oneside thus enables the wire conductors 19, 20 to extend outwardly to thesame side of the heater construction, thereby avoiding having a wireconductor passing under the foot or toes of the wearer.

As disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patents, the re sistor element15 is sized so as to be readily energized by a low voltage battery, asfor example, a battery of 6 volts or less, and preferably a dry cellflashlight battery of approximately 1% volts.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the battery 21 is arranged so as tobe suitably carried in an improved pouch 22, which is connected to thesock A and its heater means 14 by an extended length of conductor wires19A, 20A. The pouch 22 is connected to the sock 10A so as to define awholly self-contained, electrically heated sock; but which is yetrendered detachably connectible with a boot or shoe 23 of the wearer.The extended length 19A, 20A of the conductors by which the pouch 22 isconnected to the sock heater must be sufficiently long so as to have thepouch 22 free to extend above the boot or shoe 23 of the wearer.

The pouch 22 to be herein described may be formed of an integral blankor sheet of suitable foldable material, or by the joining of two blanksections 24, 25 of the type shown in FIG. 4. As best seen in FIG. 4 thefirst sheet 24 comprises an elongated or rectangularly formed blanksized to define the back panel 26 of the pouch 22 and the connectedclosure flap 27.

The second sheet of piece 25 is sized and shaped to define a front panelportion 28, a connected bottom panel portion 29 and opposed sideportions 3030, folded relative to the front panel 28. The opposed sideportions 30-30 are each provided with a laterally extending marginalflap 30A, 30A. In the folded and assembled position of the blanks, themarginal flaps 30A, 30A are folded laterally outwardly so as to bedisposed in overlying relationship to the opposed marginal portions 26A,26A of the back fonning panel 26.

While the pouch may be formed of any suitable sheet material, it ispreferred that the pouch be formed of readily heat fusible plastic sheetmaterial. With the front and side panels 28 and 3030 disposed inoverlying relationship opposite the back panel as shown in FIGS. 1, 5,and 6, the side flanges 30A of the side panels 30 are disposed inoverlying contiguous relationship to the opposed marginal portions 26Aof the back panel 26. The respective contiguous portions 26A, 26A and30A, 30A are suitably secured, e.g., by a heat fusible seam 31 extendinglongitudinally thereof. A heat fusible seam 32 may also be formed alongthe bottom edge of the back panel 26 to attach the rear edge of thebottom panel 29 to the back panel to define an open end pocket 33.

Formed on at least one of the pouch 22 is a channelway 33A which isadapted to receive a portion of wire conductor 19A as will behereinafter described. As best seen in FIG. 6 the channelway 33A isdefined by a second fused seam 31A which is spaced from seam 31.

Suitably connected to the bottom panel 29 of the pouch is an electricalcontact 34. The electrical contact 34 may comprise a flat head rivetformed of electrical conductive material. The end of electricalconductor or wire 19A is provided with a suitable eyelet or tenninalconnector by which the wire 19A is electrically connected to the rivetcontact 34.

A second contact 35 is connected to the closure flap 27 of the pouch. Asbest seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second contact 35 may also comprise arivet of electrically conductive material.

Electrical conductor or wire 20A is suitably connected to contact 35,e.g., by an eyelet or terminal connector. The arrangement is such thatwhen the closure flap 27 is closed, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, contact 35is disposed in electrical contact with the electrode 36 of the battery21.

A means is provided for securely fastening the closure flap 27 in theclosed position so that the electrodes of the battery are positivelyengaged between the contacts 34 and 35. The flap fastening means 38comprises a small strip or band of elastic or stretchable material whichis suitably secured to the flap by a fastening means or rivet 39.Connected to the free end of the elastic band 38 is a snap fastener 40which is adapted to mate with complementary snap fastener 41 connectedto the front of the pouch. To effect energization of the resistorelement 15, the wearer of the heated sock 10 need only to fasten theclosure flap in the closed position by securing the complementary snapfasteners 40 and 41. To de-energize the heater 15, the wearer simplyunlatches the closure flap 27. Thus the flap 27 functions as a switch toenergize and de-energize the heater.

A support means 42 is provided for supporting the pouch 22 on the backportion of a boot or shoe 23. As best seen in FIG. 5, the supportingmeans 42 comprises a hook shaped element having a mounting portion 42Aand a reversely bent tongue portion 42B. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 itwill be noted that the reversely bent tongue portion 42B is insertedinto the boot or shoe 23 so that the upper edge of the shoe isfrictionally secured between the mounting portion 42A and the tongueportion 42B. It will be understood that the hook means or support means42 may be formed of suitable resilient spring metal or plastic whichwill frictionally engage a portion of the shoe therebetween. To furtherenhance the frictional engagement of the boot, the tongue portion 42Bmay be provided with an integrally formed protruding or bead-likeconstruction 43.

Referring to FIG. 5 it will be noted that the conductor 19A connectingthe lower contact 34 to the resistor element 15 is threaded through thechannelway 33A defined along the side of the pouch 22. Accordingly, thechannelway 33A forms a protective guard or shield for the conductorwhich will prohibit snagging of the conductor against brush throughwhich the wearer may pass. Consequently, it has been discovered that bythreading the conductor 19A through the channelway 33A along the side ofthe pouch, a resistance is created which will resist any pull or snagfrom effecting separation between the conductor and its contact 34,which would render the heater inefi'ectual.

With the construction described it is to be noted that the battery andthe battery pouch 22 supporting the same can be worn exteriorly of thewearers outer garments, as for example, ski pants or a ski suit.Important also is that the pouch and battery is supported immediatelyadjacent to the sock and its heater so that a minimum length ofconducting wire is required to connect the battery into circuit with theheater element. In this manner a minimal voltage drop is had in thecircuit. By disposing or supporting the battery and pouch in the mannerdescribed the styling of the ski outfit worn by a wearer is notdisturbed or adversely affected, while at the same time enabling thewearer to have complete access to the battery pouch and the switch flap27 so as to effect control at all times of the energizing and/orde-energizing of the heater as may be required from time to time. Inthis manner the life of the battery can be greatly extended inasmuch asthe heater is not required to be energized when the weather or climateconditions do not so require. Also the instant construction eliminatesthe need of a strap or garter to support the battery to the wearers leg,heretofore required.

While the invention has been described with respect to a particularembodiment thereof it will be readily appreciated and understood thatvariations and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A battery operated, low voltage, electric boot sock comprising:

a foot portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a connectedleg portion,

a low voltage electric heater means located in the foot portion of saidsock,

means defining a pouch for holding a battery,

said pouch including a pair of electrical contacts adapted for engagingthe electrodes of a battery positioned in said pouch,

electrical conductors electrically connecting said with the means withelectrical contacts of said pouch,

means for securing a lower segmented portion of said conductors to theside of said sock, and the upper portion of said conductor beingextended beyond said sock whereby said pouch is freely separated fromsaid sock except by the length of said upper conductor portion,

and support means mounted on said pouch adapted for detachably securingsaid pouch to the edge of the edge of the wearer's boot when said sockis being worn,

wherein said pouch defining means includes a back portion,

a front portion having opposed side portions and a connected bottomportion,

means securing the ends of said side portions and bottom portion to thecorresponding edges of said back portion,

one of said contacts being disposed in the bottom of said pouch,

a conductor receiving means extending along one side of said pouch forreceiving the conductor connecting said one contact whereby saidconductor receiving means prohibits a force from affecting theelectrical connection between the conductor and said one contact.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said support meanscomprises a hook connected to said pouch,

said hook having a tongue portion spaced from said pouch, said tongueportion being adapted to frictionally engage the boot of the wearer.

3. A battery operated, low voltage, electric boot sock comprising:

a foot portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a connectedleg portion,

a low voltage electric heater means located in the foot portion of saidsock,

means defining a pouch for holding a battery,

said pouch including a pair of electrical contacts adapted for engagingthe electrodes of a battery positioned in said pouch,

electrical conductors electrically connecting said heater means withelectrical contacts of said pouch,

means for securing a lower segmented portion of said conductors to theside of said sock, and the upper portion of said conductor beingextended beyond said sock whereby said pouch is freely separated fromsaid sock except by the length of said upper conductor portion,

and support means mounted on said pouch adapted for detachably securingsaid pouch to the edge of the wearers boot when said sock is being worn,

wherein said pouch defining means comprises a back wall portion and afront wall portion,

said back wall portion having opposed marginal portions,

a bottom defining web portion interconnecting said front and back wallportions,

said front wall portion having connected side wall forming portionswhich in the folded position define the side walls of the pouchconstruction,

each of said side walls having outer marginal portions disposed incontiguous overlying relationship to the outer marginal portions of saidback wall portion,

means for securing said marginal portions of the respective back andside wall portions,

one of said secured marginal portions having a channelway formed thereinfor receiving a conductor,

a flap portion defining a closure for said pouch,

and means for detachably securing said flap in the operative position ofsaid pouch.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said contacts isconnected to said flap portion to engage an electrode of a battery inthe closed position, and the other of said contacts is connected to saidbottom web portion of the pouch.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein the conductor connectedto said bottom attached contact is extended through the channelwaydefined in the marginal portion of said pouch.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said support meansincludes a hook having a mounting portion and a reversely bent tongueportion,

said tongue portion being spaced from said mounting portion,

fastening means for securing back portion of said pouch.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said tongue portionincludes a protruding bead-like indentation adapted to frictionallyengage a boot portion between the tongue portion and mounting portion.

8. The invention as defined in claim 3 defining means comprises a firstblank of sheet material defining the back portion and connected flap ofsaid pouch, and i a second blank of sheet material to define the front,connected opposed side portions and connected bottom portion.

9. A battery pouch construction for positioning and holding a lowvoltage battery relative to a battery actuated garment comprising a backforming panel, a front forming panel, and a bottom panel interconnectingsaid front and back panels,

opposed side forming panels interconnected between said front and backforming panels,

each of said side forming panels having laterally outwardly extendingmarginal portions adapted to be disposed. in contiguous overlyingrelationship to the marginal portions of said back forming panel,

means for securing said overlying marginal portions to define an openedend battery receiving pocket,

means defining a channelway formed in at least one of said securedmarginal portions,

a flap connected to the upper end of the back panel,

said flap being adapted to be folded over the top of said pocket todefine a closure therefor,

a fastener means for securing said flap to the front panel in theoperative closed position,

an electrical contact secured to said flap to engage in electricalcontact with an electrode of a battery adapted to be carried in saidpouch,

a second electrical contact connected to the bottom panel toelectrically contact with the other electrode of a battery,

an electrical conductor connected to said second contact,

said conductor being threaded through the channelway defined in saidmarginal portion,

and means connected to said pouch adapted for detachably securing saidpouch to the boot of a wearer.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said detachable securingmeans includes means defining a hook connected to said back panel,

said mounting portion to said where said pouch said hook having areversely turned tongue end portion adapted to frictionally engage theupper end of a wearers boot.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said panels are formedof heat fusible material,

and said means for securing said overlying marginal portions includes apair of spaced apart longitudinally extending heat fusible seams.

1. A battery operated, low voltage, electric boot sock comprising: afoot portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a connectedleg portion, a low voltage electric heater means located in the footportion of said sock, means defining a pouch for holding a battery, saidpouch including a pair of electrical contacts adapted for engaging theelectrodes of a battery positioned in said pouch, electrical conductorselectrically connecting said with the means with electrical contacts ofsaid pouch, means for securing a lower segmented portion of saidconductors to the side of said sock, and the upper portion of saidconductor being extended beyond said sock whereby said pouch is freelyseparated from said sock except by the length of said upper conductorportion, and support means mounted on said pouch adapted for detachablysecuring said pouch to the edge of the edge of the wearer''s boot whensaid sock is being worn, wherein said pouch defining means includes aback portion, a front portion having opposed side portions and aconnected bottom portion, means securing the ends of said side portionsand bottom portion to the corresponding edges of said back portion, oneof said contacts being disposed in the bottom of said pouch, a conductorreceiving means extending along one side of said pouch for receiving theconductor connecting said one contact whereby said conductor receivingmeans prohibits a force from affecting the electrical connection betweenthe conductor and said one contact.
 2. The invention as defined in claim1 wherein said support means comprises a hook connected to said pouch,said hook having a tongue portion spaced from said pouch, said tongueportion being adapted to frictionally engage the boot of the wearer. 3.A battery operated, low voltage, electric boot sock compriSing: a footportion having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a connected legportion, a low voltage electric heater means located in the foot portionof said sock, means defining a pouch for holding a battery, said pouchincluding a pair of electrical contacts adapted for engaging theelectrodes of a battery positioned in said pouch, electrical conductorselectrically connecting said heater means with electrical contacts ofsaid pouch, means for securing a lower segmented portion of saidconductors to the side of said sock, and the upper portion of saidconductor being extended beyond said sock whereby said pouch is freelyseparated from said sock except by the length of said upper conductorportion, and support means mounted on said pouch adapted for detachablysecuring said pouch to the edge of the wearer''s boot when said sock isbeing worn, wherein said pouch defining means comprises a back wallportion and a front wall portion, said back wall portion having opposedmarginal portions, a bottom defining web portion interconnecting saidfront and back wall portions, said front wall portion having connectedside wall forming portions which in the folded position define the sidewalls of the pouch construction, each of said side walls having outermarginal portions disposed in contiguous overlying relationship to theouter marginal portions of said back wall portion, means for securingsaid marginal portions of the respective back and side wall portions,one of said secured marginal portions having a channelway formed thereinfor receiving a conductor, a flap portion defining a closure for saidpouch, and means for detachably securing said flap in the operativeposition of said pouch.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 whereinone of said contacts is connected to said flap portion to engage anelectrode of a battery in the closed position, and the other of saidcontacts is connected to said bottom web portion of the pouch.
 5. Theinvention as defined in claim 4 wherein the conductor connected to saidbottom attached contact is extended through the channelway defined inthe marginal portion of said pouch.
 6. The invention as defined in claim5 wherein said support means includes a hook having a mounting portionand a reversely bent tongue portion, said tongue portion being spacedfrom said mounting portion, fastening means for securing said mountingportion to said back portion of said pouch.
 7. The invention as definedin claim 6 wherein said tongue portion includes a protruding bead-likeindentation adapted to frictionally engage a boot portion between thetongue portion and mounting portion.
 8. The invention as defined inclaim 3 where said pouch defining means comprises a first blank of sheetmaterial defining the back portion and connected flap of said pouch, anda second blank of sheet material to define the front, connected opposedside portions and connected bottom portion.
 9. A battery pouchconstruction for positioning and holding a low voltage battery relativeto a battery actuated garment comprising a back forming panel, a frontforming panel, and a bottom panel interconnecting said front and backpanels, opposed side forming panels interconnected between said frontand back forming panels, each of said side forming panels havinglaterally outwardly extending marginal portions adapted to be disposedin contiguous overlying relationship to the marginal portions of saidback forming panel, means for securing said overlying marginal portionsto define an opened end battery receiving pocket, means defining achannelway formed in at least one of said secured marginal portions, aflap connected to the upper end of the back panel, said flap beingadapted to be folded over the top of said pocket to define a closuretherefor, a fastener means for securing said flap to the front panel inthe operaTive closed position, an electrical contact secured to saidflap to engage in electrical contact with an electrode of a batteryadapted to be carried in said pouch, a second electrical contactconnected to the bottom panel to electrically contact with the otherelectrode of a battery, an electrical conductor connected to said secondcontact, said conductor being threaded through the channelway defined insaid marginal portion, and means connected to said pouch adapted fordetachably securing said pouch to the boot of a wearer.
 10. Theinvention as defined in claim 9 wherein said detachable securing meansincludes means defining a hook connected to said back panel, said hookhaving a reversely turned tongue end portion adapted to frictionallyengage the upper end of a wearer''s boot.
 11. The invention as definedin claim 9 wherein said panels are formed of heat fusible material, andsaid means for securing said overlying marginal portions includes a pairof spaced apart longitudinally extending heat fusible seams.